Bigotry, Hatred and Intolerance
By: C John Grom
As I reflect on the American Heritage dictionary definitions of certain words, I am struck by how often those words are denied or distorted by those to whom they apply’ For instance:
Hatred, “To feel animosity or hostility toward or to detest.”
Bigot, “One who is strongly partial to ones own group, religion, race or politics and is intolerant of those who differ.”
Intolerance, “Unable or unwilling to endure or support differences in beliefs or opinions”
Along with many others, the essence of these words are included in much of today’s political dialog yet are soundly disclaimed by many of their practitioners. Hatred, bigotry and intolerance are practiced and openly embraced by the KKK and other supremacy groups, but repudiated by others who embrace them, never the less.
After all, how could anyone wearing the halo of love, diversity and tolerance ever accept that they reject in the severest possible terms, people and ideas that are outside their understanding. It would take deep in-sight for such a person to see themselves in that mirror. Like someone more clever that me once said , “beneath the most splendid palaces run sewers more stinking than the open gutters.” It is indeed a person of high character that will venture to detect those sewers.
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